What should you do to gain traction when driving a backhoe loader up a hill?

To gain traction when driving a backhoe loader up a hill, adding material to the bucket is an effective strategy. This action increases the weight on the rear wheels, which can enhance the grip and reduce the likelihood of slippage, as the increased load shifts the center of gravity. When the rear wheels have better traction, it becomes easier for the machine to climb the incline without losing traction or sliding backward.

While reducing the load on the bucket might seem beneficial in some situations for maneuverability, it can actually reduce the weight on the rear wheels, making it more challenging to maintain traction. Increasing engine speed might provide more power to the wheels, but without adequate traction from the weight in the bucket, it could lead to spinning wheels without making progress. Lowering the boom does not directly affect traction; instead, it can help position the machine correctly on a slope but does not add weight to the drive wheels. Thus, for optimal traction when ascending a hill, adding material to the bucket is the most effective method.